1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2020”.
Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2020
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire psychiatrists.
2. Appointment of psychiatrists by Veterans Health Administration
In general— Chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 7406 the following new section:
“7406A. Appointment of certain psychiatrists who complete residencies
“(a) In general
“(1) Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may appoint, without regard to civil service or classification laws, a psychiatrist who completes a residency under section 7406 of this title to a position under section 7401 or 7405 immediately after such residency, if the psychiatrist meets the qualifications established in regulations prescribed by the Secretary for such position.
“(2) The Secretary may begin the process of appointing a psychiatrist under paragraph (1) before the psychiatrist completes a residency.
“(b) Positions permitted—The Secretary may appoint a psychiatrist under subsection (a) if the position to which the psychiatrist is appointed has been unfilled for not less than 35 days as of the date of the appointment.”
Clerical amendment— The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7406 the following new item: